Cancer Support Flashcards
Cancers are as a result of the interaction of genetics, epigenetics and ___________ of the individual.
Environment
Cancer is also suggested to be due to _________ failure, as a result of:
- lack of oxygen and nutrients
- Toxins
- Stress
- Cellular defects
Mitochondrial failure
Define cancer
Cells that have acquired the ability to multiply and spread without the usual biologic restraints
What is the unregulated growth in cancer caused by?
Damage to DNA, resulting in mutations to genes that control cell division
List 3 cellular characteristics associated with cancer
Mitochondrial failure/damage
Increased DNA damage
Increased activity of chemokines
Increased activity of cytokines
Increased hormonally driven activity
Alteration in cell-cycle activity
Activation of otherwise silent oncogenes
Genomic instability
Cancer cells are cells that have altered function. True or false?
True
List 3 alterations in function of cancer cells
Self-renewal
Self-sufficiency in growth signals
Insensitivity to anti-growth signals
Limitless replicative potential
Evasion of apoptosis
Ability to produce sustained angiogenesis
Ability to invade and metastasize
Dysregulation of which process is essential for cancer development and tumour cell survival?
Apoptosis
The stage of a particular cancer is based on the tumour’s size and location and whether it has spread. True or false?
True.
Stage 1 - local tissue involvement
Stage 2 - surrounding tissues / lymph nodes
Stage 3 - spread to distant lymph nodes
Stage 4 - Spread to distant organs / body parts
What are oncogenes and what do they code for?
Oncogenes are genes that code for one of the typical behaviours of cancer cells.
e.g,
Growth
Non-responsiveness to stop signals
Failure of apoptosis
Invasion
Metastasis
What makes oncogenes become active?
A mutation (may be inherited)
Epigenetic modifications (usually due to loss of methylation)
List 2 dietary carcinogens
Aflatoxins
Heterocyclic amines
N-nitroso compounds
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)
List 3 cancer progression promoters
Excess and damaged fats
Excess protein (increases IGF-1)
Excess omega 6
Alflatoxins
Heterocyclic amines
N-nitroso compounds
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)
The ________ __________ produced during the cooking of meat are carcinogenic.
Heterocyclic amines
Why is common table salt carcinogenic.
Stripped of all it’s minerals
Adding of carcinogenic anti-caking agent
Diets high in salted foods and table salt increase the risk of ________ cancer
Stomach cancer
Alcohol is an indépendant risk factor for which cancers?
Upper digestive tract cancers
Liver
Breast
Colon
List 3 types of cancer associated with obesity
Colorectal cancer
Breast cancer
Endometrial cancer
List 2 reasons why/how obesity may contribute to cancer risk.
Changes hormone metabolism
Raises oestrogen levels -> cell proliferation
Promotes oxidative DNA damage
Facilitates alteration in carcinogens
Changes insulin metabolism -> increased IGF-1
Negatively affects the immune system
Raises leptin -> cell proliferation
Increases inflammation -> angiogenesis increased
How do phytochemicals and other compounds like vitamin C play a pivotal role in cancer prevention?
- Inhibit carcinogen formation from precursor substances
- Increase metabolic detoxification of carcinogens
- Prevent carcinogens from interacting with DNA and RNA
What is the ideal ratio of omega 6:3?
3-1:1
List 3 types of cancer that fibre is protective against
Colorectal
Stomach
Ovarian
Endometrial
Breast
How much fibre is needed per day for cancer prevention?
30 - 35g minimum
How does fibre contribute to lower cancer risk?
- Increases transit time (decreases exposure to carcinogens)
- Reduces insulin levels
- Reduces serum oestrogen concentration
- Dilutes bile acids
How to phytonutrients contribute to lower cancer risk?
Antioxidant
Promote synthesis of detoxification enzymes
Act as anti-proliferative agents
Angiogenesis inhibitors
Immune stimulants
A low fat vegan diet is almost as effective as drugs in decreasing the inflammation marker CRP. True or false?
True
Vitamin B17 is also known as _____________
Amygdalin
(From apple/apricot seeds)
Why does chemotherapy lead to increased risk of secondary cancers?
Because chemotherapy kills tumour cells but NOT cancer stem cells
How does radiation work?
It destroys rapidly dividing cells by damaging DNA
